New member saying hello

[Norfolkterrier]

Found this site today, really impressed!! I'm a total novice sailor, luckily my partner has more experience.
We are part of a boat share syndicate, 5 members with a Gibsea 106 currently in Greece. However we hope to own a whole boat fairly soon and hope all you experienced people will be able to give us the benefit of your knowledge!

Cheers!!

Norfolk Terrier

[anglooff]

Welcome onboard,

I am sure you will find the forum, very useful... I certainly do.

regards

Alan

[Norfolkterrier]

Thanks Alan,

Appreciate you taking time to reply, I am already learning alot from the site, however when you know as little as I do that's not difficult.
Best wishes
Barbara

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Barbara,
Welcome aboard! There are lots of very experienced sailors and boatbuilders on this forum so ask away.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[Gillian Mulcahy]

Hi
Thought it looked an interesting site for info for new places we hope to visit. Currently in Chaguaramas, Trinidad, polishing the bottom and hope to leave for Venezuela, Columbia and Panama beginning of August. While here, does anyone know what the Venezulan street exchange rate is for USD, and is it really worth while taking USD rather than using ATMs for BolF? We have a sterling account (being English!) and it takes some organising to get the USD,but can be done. Also, anyone have any thoughts/knowledge on travelling by bus down to Peru, cant afford air fares.
Look forward to picking everyone's brains in the future.
Regards
Gillian and Graeme Mulcahy

[anglooff]

Dear Gillian and Graeme,

The unofficial exchange rate today is 3.3-3.4 BS to USD see Venezuela fx Bolivar-Dollar Swap Exchange Rate which you can access easily to confirm ongoing rates. Subsequently as the official rate is 2.1 (IE through ATM) the choice (with the usual caveats) is yours. However USD, perhaps even Euros before Pounds.

The rate not so long ago here was 5+BS per USD and indeed you will find prices have consistently kept their high USD/ratios, even although the USD conversion has fallen some 40%. So although many thngs are considerable cheaper here in comparison to outside, no longer is it quite such a bargain.

USD in Trinidad is easy to obtain. There are a number of Atms which pay out USD. Specifically at Royal bank branches at Park Street and Ellerslie Court...(Beside Kentucky Fried chicken on North Circular Road maraval). There are others but these are the ones that I use/know when I visit my place in Trinidad.

If you PM me i shall give you my contact numbers and if I can help you re Trinidad or Venezuela. then i shall be happy to do so.

I shall also give you the Personal Blog details of some friends of mine whom have spent a year travelling around latin America, using Public Transport and I am quite certain that all the bus details you need are easily obtained there.

Best regards


Alan